51 2. THE COMMISSIONER FOR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND HIS DEPUTIES IN HUNGARY AND ABROAD A. Providing assistance to, or preparing petitions to be submitted to the Constitutional Court/the Curia B. Giving opinion on draft legislation, making proposals for the drafting or amendment of legislation C. Preparing and conducting comprehensive ex officio inquiries D. Attending and giving presentations at professional and scientific conferences, workshops E. Consulting with experts, attending working committees and parliamentary committees F. International networking, answering queries, collecting and providing information G. Providing secretarial services to the Network of Institutions for Future Generations H. Press events, awareness-raising and follow-up activities on issues concerning future generations I. Contributing to the inquiries conducted by the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights and the drafting of joint reports J. On-the-spot presence, professional training programmes K. News shared on the official Facebook page of the Ombudsman for Future Generations 3 review. 64 noise pollution, and the majority of them concerned the operation Most complaints submitted this year were related to the issue of 4 60 111 of the Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport. Although the operation of the airport undoubtedly serves the interests of the national economy and the community, the extent and necessity of disturbance must not be disregarded from the aspect of the enforcement of the fundamental rights of those people who live in the impact area. 27 With regard to the question of exploration drilling carried out in Continuous a protected natural area around the boundaries of a residential area, 112 activities that may affect the nature conservation objectives of 399 the Deputy Commissioner established in his report that all those a protected natural area are subject to an environmental permit, taking into consideration the breeding season of bird species as well. Several inquiries dealt with the situation of the public service 4 258 of waste management. One of the main findings of these in­quiries was that real estate users cannot be subject to any damage caused by the operational difficulties occurring during the provision of public services, and the eventual anomalies of the system cannot be used as an excuse. The accumulation of large quantities 2.7.2. THE OMBUDSMAN’S INQUIRIES of waste on a property is unlawful conduct per se, and it is reason­ able to expect the authorities to enforce the law. According to the CFR Act, the Ombudsman for Future It is a basic requirement that the area of operation of enterprises Generations participates in the inquiries of the Commissioner involved in production or industrial activities should be selected for Fundamental Rights in matters falling within his/her com- in line with the objectives and rules of settlement planning, envi- petence. The joint reports are of particular importance; their con- ronmental standards, and the interests of those living in the area. stitutional background is outlined in Chapter 1.11 of this report. The This must be continuously monitored, the facts of the case must be diagram below illustrates the thematic diversity and the proportion clarified, and the persons concerned must be duly informed. of complaints received in 2019. In the following, we highlight some The importance of trees from the aspects of environmental of the typical environmental cases and inquiries of the year under protection and health had already been highlighted in several General environmental protection 19% Other sectoral matters 3% Noise and vibration control 29% Agriculture 2% Construction, country and town planning, protection of built environment 3% Protection of cultural heritage 1% Nature and biodiversity protection 3% Protection of trees and plants 4% Property protection, permit procedures of premises, livestock 7% Water quality protection, water management 7% Waste management 8% Transportation, shipping 3% Air quality protection 11% Types and topics of complaints, petitions and ex officio inquiries in 2019 related to the rights of Future Generations